Method of registering an installed valve

ABSTRACT

A method of registering an installed valve, the installed valve having a marking associated to an identity, the method including providing a mobile communication device comprising a navigation satellite signal receiver, establishing a registration of the valve by reading the marking attached to the valve, establishing a valve location by means of the navigation satellite signal receiver, and transmitting at least one data package to a central server, the data package including a representation of the marking or the associated identity and the established valve location, receiving at the central server the at least one data package, establishing at the central server a valve record associating the identity to the established valve location, and storing the valve record in a database.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to a method of registering a valve, a valvelocator, a mobile communication device, a mapping, and a systemcomprising a number of hardware components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A problem relating to valves for waste water, water or gas is that thevalves are typically widely distributed and sometimes also difficult toaccess. A further challenge is that such valves typically requireregular service, depending on the type of the valve.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates in a first aspect to a method of registering aninstalled valve, the installed valve having a marking associated to anidentity,

the method comprising the steps of

providing a mobile communication device, the mobile communication devicecomprising a navigation satellite signal receiver,

establishing a registration of the valve by performing the followingsteps with the mobile communication device,

-   -   reading the marking attached to the valve,    -   establishing a valve location by means of the navigation        satellite signal receiver, and    -   transmitting at least one data package to a central server, said        at least one data package comprising a representation of the        marking or the associated identity and the established valve        location,        receiving at the central server said at least one data package,        establishing at the central server a valve record associating        the identity to the established valve location, and        storing the valve record in a database.

According to an embodiment of the invention, it is possible to establisha relatively fault proof registration of valves into a central database,allowing e.g. an operator or an application service provider to locateand identify mounted valves. It is furthermore possible to perform theregistration in a relatively easy and reliable way considering that theconditions for mounting of e.g. subterranean valves.

In the present context a navigation satellite signal receiver is areceiver adapted to receive a signal from a navigation satellite system,such as a global navigation satellite system, i.e. a satellite-basedpositioning system.

Examples of existing global navigation satellite system include theAmerican (NAVSTAR) GPS-system and variants thereof, such as assisted GPS(aGPS) or differential GPS (dGPS) and Russian GLONASS.

Examples of planned systems or systems which may only be partly orregionally operative may include Chinese Beidou/Compass, EuropeanGalileo, Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS). It islikely that further navigational satellite systems will be developed,and such systems may of course also be used.

In some cases hybrid systems may be preferred, combining a navigationsatellite system signal with one or more from the group consisting ofWiFi, WiMAX, mobile phone signals such as GSM or LTE, use of IPaddresses, network environmental data, or any combination thereof. Oneadvantage of such hybrid systems may be that location may be acquiredfaster.

A record of a database is understood as a single structured data itemcomprising a number of fields. A preferred implementation of a valverecord in the present context is as a record of a relational database.In the context of a relational database, a row—also called a record ortuple—represents a single, implicitly structured data item in a table.In simple terms, a database table can be thought of as consisting ofrows and columns or fields. Each row in a table represents a set ofrelated data, and every row in the table has the same structure.

In certain embodiments the step of reading the marking attached to thevalve and the step of establishing a digital photograph of the installedvalve by means of the camera is the same step. E.g. if the marking is agraphical tag, it may preferably be read by means of the camera; thenthe marking may in certain embodiments be read from the digitalphotograph of the installed valve. However, it should be understood thatin many embodiments, these two steps are separate, e.g. when the mobilecommunication device is adapted to encode the marking, such as agraphical tag, itself, or if the graphical tag is too small and/ordetailed to be read from the digital photograph of the installed valve.

Typically, several parties may be involved in the overall process ofmaking and installing a valve. A valve manufacturer may sell valves toan operator, possibly through distributors.

In the present context, a valve operator is understood as an entityresponsible for operating a pipe grid system comprising valves. Theentity may also be the acquiring party, i.e. the legal owner of thevalves. This may e.g. be a municipality owned entity. In many cases thevalve operator may be a utility service provider.

The operator may then plan where the valve is to be installed, and avalve engineer performs the actual installing.

In the present context, a user is regarded as the person or team ofpersons mounting, registering or servicing the valves on-site. Also, theterm valve engineer is used in the present context as a user orinstaller of the valve. The valve engineer may typically besubcontractor. The subcontractors may therefore vary over time and a newsub-contractor may have no history with the mounted valves in question.

The planning of the installation of the valve may also on many cases besubcontracted to other entities.

However, it should be understood that the valve engineer may be employeddirectly by the operator. Likewise, the planning of the installation ofthe valve may also be performed by the operator.

A solution according to an embodiment of the present invention may behosted by an application service provider.

In the present context an application service provider is regarded as acentral party hosting the valve registration service. The applicationservice provider may e.g. be a valve manufacturer or e.g. an independenthost.

It should be understood in the present context that the central serveris distinct and typically distant from the mobile communication device.Receiving the one or more data packages at the central server maytypically be from a communication system such as the internet, or awireless network, such as a cellular telecommunication network.

In the present context a mobile communication device should beunderstood as including e.g. mobile telephones, tablets, PDAs, etc. Themobile communication device comprises a wireless communicationarrangement for transmitting data packages. Typically such wirelesscommunication arrangement may include an antenna for communication overmobile telecommunication networks.

One further advantage of an embodiment of the invention may be that amore precise registration of valves may be obtained while keeping thevalve locations secret from third parties. If valves are subterranean,they may in some cases be marked physically to avoid breaking themunintentionally or to allow maintenance personal to easily locate thevalves. However, in some regions it may be rather disadvantageous tovisible mark valve locations, as this may be increase the risk ofvandalism or sabotage. However, by means of the invention, the valvesmay be registered more precisely, including their locations, withoutnecessitating giving locational information to third parties.

The marking may some embodiments be non-unique and may e.g. represent anon-unique identity, such as giving information about a typeidentification and/or a model, or about a serial number, which may insome cases reflect a particular batch of valves.

In the present context it should be understood that the term valvecovers also a hydrant, e.g. a fire hydrant.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the mobiledevice comprises a camera and a navigation satellite signal receiver andwherein the method further comprises the steps of

establishing a digital photograph of the installed valve by means of thecamera,

-   -   transmitting at least one data package to a central server, said        at least one data package comprising a representation of the        marking or the associated identity, the digital photograph of        the valve, and the established valve location, and        receiving at the central server said at least one data package,        establishing at the central server a valve record associating        the identity to the digital photograph of the valve and the        established valve location.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, thetransmitting of at least one data package (DP) is initiated by a userand wherein the mobile communication device (DEV) automatically uponsaid initiation by the user establishes the at least one data package tobe transmitted.

Advantageously and preferably, a user of the mobile communication devicemay initiate the transmitting of data for the valve record to beestablished centrally by a simple manual operation. The mobile deviceshould preferably assist the user in the best possible way and anautomated workflow, e.g. by means of a software application running onthe mobile communication device.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, theestablished valve location is automatically determined to be the lastvalid location determined on the basis of the signals received by thenavigation satellite receiver.

An embodiment of the invention also addresses signal fall out, i.e. theproblem of satellite based location in the sense that many valves aresubterranean and the utilized mobile device is therefore subject to lackof receipt of navigation signals. According to an embodiment of theinvention, the method involves an automatic valve location determined onthe basis of some of the last validly received satellite signals. Inthis way, it may be possible for a user, typically the engineer, toestablish the valve location even if the navigation satellite receiverdoes not receive utilizable signals.

In connection with the above it should be understood that the last validlocation determined on the basis of the signals received by thenavigation satellite receiver is the last valid location of the mobilecommunication device.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, theestablished valve location is automatically determined to be one of thelast valid locations determined on the basis of the signals received bythe navigation satellite receiver.

A further advantageous way of determining the valve position is to basethe location of signal received at some time prior to signal fall-out.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, theestablished valve location is automatically determined to be calculatedon the basis of signals received by the navigation satellite receiversubsequent to a signal fall out.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, theestablished valve location is automatically determined to be calculatedat least partly on the basis of signals received by the navigationsatellite receiver subsequent to a signal fall out.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, theestablished a valve location by means of the navigation satellite signalreceiver is automatically corrected on the basis of signals received bythe navigation satellite receiver subsequent to a signal fall out.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it mayautomatically be possible to correct already determined valve locationsinsofar the signals received by the navigation satellite receiver (NSSR)subsequent to a signal fall out are automatically considered applicablefor an automatic correction. The automatic correction may be performedautomatically by a software routine running on the mobile communicationdevice. An automatic correction may e.g. also be followed by anautomatic retransmission of the corrected valve location to the centralserver insofar the already transmitted and centrally registered valvelocation is considered invalid.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, said markingis a unique marking.

One advantage of the above embodiment may be that each valve having aunique marking may be tracked. Thereby, for example, the time from saleof the valve until installation may in some cases be tracked. Also, apreviously installed and registered valve may be, at subsequentinspections be identified as that same previously installed valve.Furthermore, a unique marking allows information about a uniqueidentity, such as e.g. a unique serial number, to be incorporated in themarking.

One further advantage of unique markings may be that the valve recordmay be identified from the marking alone. This may e.g. be advantageouswhen inspecting a previously installed and registered valve, that thevalve record may be requested upon reading the unique marking. Thereby,the valve inspector may receive relevant information for his inspectionand/or may verify that the valve record is correct.

In certain alternative embodiments, the valve record may be identifiedeven from a non-unique marking, such as a marking telling only the typeidentity of the valve, by using further information, such as a location.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, said identityis a unique identity.

In some embodiments the identity may merely cover the type or model ofthe valve, whereas in many other embodiments, the identity may beunique, e.g. by reflecting a unique serial number or the like.

One advantage of using unique identities, such as a unique serialnumber, may be that it may be possible to track the particular valvefrom the unique serial number is associated with that valve and onwards.In some cases it may be possible to track the valve through at leastpart of the production, supply and/or assembly. In some cases it may bepossible to track the valve after production and assembly, e.g. postsale, to track, for example, the time from sale until installation. Theabove advantages may be especially pronounced when the valve has aunique marking allowing the unique identity to be easily read, e.g. fora person installing the valve by reading the unique marking with themobile communication device.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, theregistration is performed when installing the valve.

Typically, when installing a valve having a marking the method of theinvention may be applied immediately after the installation orsimultaneous with the installation. It should be understood that forinstance the reading of the marking may actually be performed prior toinstallation of the valve, although in some cases it may be advantageousto perform all steps within more or less immediately after one another,i.e. after finishing the installation of the valve.

Similarly, the establishing of the valve location may in principle bedone prior to installation. In any case, if the method is performed in aplace with no or only low quality of navigation satellite signal, theestablishing of the valve location may be based on the latest locationavailable.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, theregistration is performed on a previously installed valve.

For example, the registration may be done performed during routineinspections.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the markingcomprises additional information.

For example when using QR codes, additional information, other thaninformation associating the marking with an identity, may beincorporated in the QR code. Such additional information may forinstance relate to the valve type or model, components and/or materialsthereof, information about how to install the valve, color-coding of thevalve, etc. This information may thus assist the user when installing orchecking the valve.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, saidadditional information comprises information about the model or type ofvalve.

One advantage of the above embodiment may be that the valve engineerinstalling the valve may receive information about the valve from themarking without needing internet access or access to communication withexternal databases. Thereby, the valve engineer may be able to verify onthe spot if the valve actually corresponds to the information gainedfrom the marking.

This may for example be checking if the actual model or type correspondsto the information about the model or type from the marking. It may alsobe information which does not necessitate an expert, such as e.g. thecolor of the valve.

If the valve engineer identifies an error, i.e. a mismatch between theinformation from the marking, and the actual valve, he may immediatelycontact the valve operator and/or the valve manufacturer to report theerror. Thereby it may be avoided that a data record of the valvecontaining incorrect information about the valve is established.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the marking isdecoded by the mobile communication device to establish said identity.

One advantage of the above embodiment may be that the size of the datapackage may be reduced. By establishing the identity in the mobilecommunication device it may not be necessary to include e.g. aphotograph of the marking in the data package.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the marking isdecoded by the central server to establish said identity.

One advantage of the above embodiment may be that the data processing inthe mobile communication device may be reduced. By including arepresentation, such as a photograph, of the marking in the datapackage, it decoding of the marking and establishing of the identity maybe performed by the central server.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the mobilecommunication device and/or the central server decodes said marking toestablish said identity using an error-correction algorithm, such as aReed-Solomon error correction code, a low-density parity-check (LDPC)code, or a turbo code.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the datapackage is validated at the central server.

According to example embodiments, the valve location may be validated atthe central server by comparing metadata from the digital photographwith other information, such as information received by the centralserver in the data package.

According to one example, the metadata of the digital photograph maycomprise time data, such as a time stamp, which may compared to timedata of the data package or a time of receiving the data package. If thetime from the metadata and the other time matches or the difference isbelow a predefined threshold, the data package may be approved.

According to another example, the metadata of the digital photograph maycomprise location data, such as coordinates established similar to thevalve location. The location data from the metadata may then be comparedto the valve location, and the approval of the data package may dependon a match of the metadata location and the valve location, at leastwithin a certain threshold.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the valvelocation is validated at the central server.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the identitycomprises at least a type identification, and wherein the typeidentification is validated against the digital photograph.

Validation against the digital photograph may comprise establishing atleast partly a type identification from the digital photograph, e.g. byimage recognition software, or by identifying a dominant color of thevalve from the digital photograph, and comparing the at least partlyestablished type identification from the digital photograph with thetype identification established from the marking.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the centralserver in response to receiving said data package transmits anacknowledgement of receipt to the mobile communication device.

An advantageous and important feature of the embodiment is that thecentral server may automatically confirm to the mobile communicationdevice, that the received at least one data package has been properlyreceived.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the centralserver in response to receiving said at least one data package performsan automatic validation of the received at least one data package andtransmits an acknowledgement of receipt to the mobile communicationdevice if the at least one received data package is valid or transmitsan alert to the mobile communication device is the received at least onepackage is invalid.

The automatic validation may be performed in several different ways andmay offer several significant benefits to engineer or the operator.Automatic validation of the received at least one data package at thecentral server end may e.g. involve a check that the registered valvelocation is in compliancy with an expected valve location registered atthe central server. In this way, wrongly located valves may be avoided.

Another automatic validation may refer to the reading of the markingitself and the engineer may be immediately be alerted if a marking hasbeen misread or cannot be read and thereby rendering the valve record tobe established void or of little use.

An automatic validation may also refer to an automatic extraction ofvalve features by image recognition, which may be mapped into some orall the fields of a valve record to be established. In other word, thevalve may be automatically categorized if the marking is eitherunreadable or if the valve is not supplied with a marking.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the centralserver in response to receiving said data package transmits anacknowledgement of receipt to the operator.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, saidacknowledgement of receipt comprises a representation of the receiveddigital photograph.

The transmitted digital photograph may serve as a check for the records,that the operator can use later to establish that the valve is mountedin conformity with guidelines or regulation and the user of the mobiledevice may verify that the digital photograph is of a sufficient qualityto show the relevant details of the mounting.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the valvelocation is converted to an address or location and transmitted to theuser and/or the operator for a verification of the registered valvelocation.

When converting valve location into an address location, e.g. thenearest address, it is possible for the engineer or the valve operatorto observe a possible malfunctioning of the navigation satellite signalreceiver or lack of sufficient signal to determine a correct valvelocation and thereby avoid one or several wrongly located valves.

Also, according to a further embodiment, the user of the mobilecommunication device may, after a valve location has been established bymeans of the mobile communication device, correct the valve location.The correction of the valve location may be done in various ways.

One way of correcting the valve location involves drag and dropcorrection of the valve location on a visual representation of the valvelocation to be corrected, the drag and drop correction being carried outvia the mobile communication device, preferably on a touch screen of themobile communication device, The visual representation of the valvelocation may preferably be a representation on a map and/or satelliteimages.

Another way of correcting the valve location involves typing in anaddress being the best representation of the actual valve location.

Another way of correcting the valve location involves typing locationcoordinates being the best representation of the actual valve location.

Another way of correcting the valve location involves typing in acomment being the best representation of the actual valve location. Thecomment may include one or more addresses, location coordinates, orfurther details, such as details on how the actual valve locationrelates to the address(es).

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the valveengineer verifies the type of valve via the mobile communication device.

For example, the reading of the marking reveals information in themarking about the type of valve. The valve engineer may then approve thetype of valve, if he agrees, or, if he disagrees, report the errorand/or correct the type of valve.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the valves arecolored according to a technical classification and the valve engineerverifies the color.

The valve engineer may for example perform the verification of the colorfrom information from the marking and/or information received by themobile communication device based on the established identity of thevalve. If the valve engineer disapproves with the color information infrom the marking, he may correct this and/or report the error.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the valveengineer verifies the valve location established by means of thenavigation satellite signal receiver.

If the valve engineer disapproves the valve location established bymeans of the navigation satellite signal receiver, he may correct thevalve location and/or report the error. The correction may be done bymoving a marker in a graphical representation of the location and/or byinputting search criteria, such as an address, to establish thelocation.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, an operatormay input a new record manually by transmitting a combination of valveidentification parameters and/or valve features.

It may advantageously be possible to add valve entries to the centraldatabase by facilitating a manually operated entry of valves without amarking into the system. The valves may be described with a number ofmandatory fields. The fields should be comparable to the automaticallyestablished fields, thereby allowing searching in the combined database.

These valve features are already present in the system for the valvesmarked with a marking, typically by the valve manufacturer.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at the centralserver, extracting at least one feature from the received photograph,the at least one feature corresponding at least one field of the valverecord.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, inserting saidat least one feature or a derivative thereof automatically as a field ofthe valve record

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, transmittingthe at least one extracted feature or a derivative thereof to theinstaller for approval.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the markingcomprises graphical tag attached to the valve.

A graphical tag typically comprises an image, which can be readoptically by a mobile telephone camera. Typical graphical tags includelinear or one-dimensional codes, e.g. barcodes, and two-dimensionalcodes, such as matrix codes,

Examples of matrix codes include QR codes (Quick response codes),Datamatrix, Semacode, barcodes, ShotCodes, Cool-Data-Matrix, Aztec,UPCODE, Trillcode, Quickmark, mCode, Beetagg, High Capacity ColorBarcode, etc.

One advantage of using a graphical tag may be any mobile devicecomprising a camera may read the tag. Also, communication protocols maybe updated, both via updated software and/or hardware, and such updatesmay not necessarily be completely backwards compatible. Furthermore,while NFC tag readers are available in increasing number mobile phones,such development may not necessarily continue, and may not necessarilybe equivalent for different mobile phone brands and/or for differentmobile phone operative systems. However, by using graphical tags, suchtechnical differences, inconsistencies or problems may be circumventedsince any camera may read any tag.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, graphical tagcomprises a two-dimensional graphical tag attached to the valve.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, thetwo-dimensional graphical tag comprises a QR code attached to the valve.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the markingcomprises a passive electro-magnetically readable tag attached to thevalve.

In this context a passive tag is meant as a tag without any internalpower supply or wired power supply. Typically such passiveelectro-magnetically readable tags may be powered externally by means ofwireless power, preferably from the mobile communication device.

Wireless power may e.g. be facilitated by means of electromagneticinduction from magnetic fields produced by the power source, preferablythe mobile communication device.

Wireless power may e.g. be facilitated by harvesting energy from radiowaves from radio waves from the power source, preferably the mobilecommunication device, i.e. the marking acts as a passive transponder.

In some alternative embodiments the marking may be anelectro-magnetically readable tag attached to the valve, theelectro-magnetically readable tag having an internal power source, suchas a battery, and/or the electro-magnetically readable tag beingelectrically connected to a power source, such as a battery, in orassociated with said valve.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the markingcomprises an RFID tag attached to the valve.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the markingcomprises a Near Field Communication (NFC) tag attached to the valve.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the mobilecommunication device is a single unit comprising said camera and saidnavigation satellite signal receiver, the mobile communication devicecomprising programming for carrying out the steps performed by saidmobile communication device under control of the user interface of themobile communication device.

The applied user interface may typically comprise a graphical userinterface (GUI) and/or keys and/or a keyboard. The user interface allowsthe user to input the relevant commands to the communication device uponwhich the mobile communication devices executes the initiated processesautomatically.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the valve is afluid valve.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the valve is achosen from the group consisting of a gas valve, a drinking water valve,and a waste-water valve.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the valverecord comprises a number of fields.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least oneof the fields of the valve record comprises at valve location field.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the valverecord comprises a classification field.

A classification field may advantageously be applied by the operator toestablish an easy searchable database allowing the operator to dedicatedifferent priorities. Such a priority may e.g. include importance, typeof valves, intended service level etc. The service level may e.g.include a searchable marking or the valve allowing the operator to e.g.search for valves requiring service within a given interval. Theclassification field may be established based on further information inthe data package, or may be added based on e.g. a location.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the valverecord comprises one or more further fields.

The valve record may comprise one or more further fields, which may bebased on information from the valve engineer via the mobilecommunication device and/or from the valve operator. The one or morefurther fields may comprise information about the size of the pipingsand/or the valve, the position of the valve, such as subterranean ornot, installation depths, such as depth relative to ground level,installation date, contractor and/or installer name or ID, furtherphotographs, such as photographs of galvanic protection, actuation, etc.

The valve record may also comprise one or more further fields comprisinginformation about certificates, official approvals, historical evendata, maintenance data, such as maintenance interval, time of nextmaintenance, time of last maintenance, accessibility, means of access,such as tools needed to access the valve, details about the connectedpiping, such as working pressure, piping material, materials transportedby the piping, or supply data, e.g. addresses or facilities which may beaffected when closing the valve.

Also, the one or more further fields may comprise activation data,and/or an operation specification of the valve. In particular,information about how to activate the valves may be advantageous.Different valves may be activated, i.e. switched from an open to aclosed configuration or vice versa, either manually or by means of anactuator. Such activators may be e.g. pneumatically or hydraulicallydriven.

Also, the one or more further fields may comprise information aboutcorrosion protection of the valve, such as e.g. corrosion protectionwrapping.

Also, the one or more further fields may comprise information aboutproduct anchorage, e.g. if the valve is used as a fix point to fixatethe pipeline.

Also, the one or more further fields may comprise information aboutnetwork complexity, relation to neighboring installations and/orproducts. It may in some cases be necessary to respect certaincircumstances related to network complexity or to relations toneighboring installations or products, e.g. when performing emergencyprocedures or shutdowns, e.g. due to contamination.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the one ormore further fields comprises information about the working pressure ofthe valve.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least oneof the further fields comprises a valve type.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least oneof the further fields comprises a user defined priority (UDP).

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least oneof the further fields comprises a user defined category (UDC).

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least oneof the further fields comprises a mounting date.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the databaseis located with the central server.

In some embodiments, the database is integrated in the central server orotherwise located with the central server. Depending on the setup, thecentral server and the database may be at the valve operator or at theapplication service provider.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the databaseis external from the central server.

In some embodiments the database may be e.g. located at the operator,whereas the central server may be at the application service provider.However, the database and the central server may also be at differentlocations of the valve operator, or at different locations of theapplication service provider. Moreover, the database may be distributedto two or more separate locations. One such database may evidently be abackup database, but the database may also advantageously be distributedbetween different operators.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the valverecords of the database are stored as records in a relational database.

A preferred database structure is the relational database structure. Arelational database is a database that stores information about both thedata and how it is related. Data and relationships are represented in aflat, two-dimensional table that preserves relational structuring.

A Relational Database Management System is the physical and logicalimplementation of a relational database (hardware and software). ARelational Database Management System controls reading, writing,modifying, and processing the information stored in the databases. Thedata is formally described and organized according to each database'srelational model according to the design.

Relational databases tend to be either significantly normalized orde-normalized. Normalized databases tend to have better data integrity,reduced storage space, and faster transmissions. Databases arede-normalized to improve performance, often for reporting anddecision-making applications. De-normalized databases may form datamarts and warehouses. Most data warehouses have an operational databasethat is used to produce the data marts.

A database applicable within the scope of the invention includes MySQL,PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, SAP and IBM DB2.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the valverecords of the database are stored according to a hierarchical databasemodel.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the valverecords at the database are stored according to a network model.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the valverecords at the central server are stored according to a hierarchicaldatabase model or and the network model.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a preliminaryworkflow list is stored on the mobile communication device, the listcomprising at least one referral to valves to be installed ormaintained, the referral to the valves including valve locations.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, theapplication software stored on the mobile communication device isvisualized to the user on the graphical user interface (GUI) on themobile device and enables the user to choose one of the referrals on thepreliminary workflow list for displaying of the information related tothe referral.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, theapplication software stored on the mobile communication device furtherenables the user to activate the referral by means of the interface ofthe mobile communication device for activation of said transmitting atleast one data package to a central server, and wherein the datacontained in said at least one data packages is at least partly obtainedfrom said chosen referral.

The user, e.g. the engineer, may therefore easily establish thenecessary data for the intended transmission of data related to thevalve record and the user may therefore avoid typing or inputting toomany data and partly base the transmission on the data contained in thechosen referral o the preliminary workflow list. This is a very strongfeature of the system, as “office work” at the installation site is notnecessary very easy.

Another great feature is that the engineer may plan his installing ormaintenance from home or he may receive the list from the operators,thereby keeping the operator or the contractor in the loop with respectto progress of maintenance or installing of the valves.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the one ormore data packages and/or the valve record established at least partlyon the basis of the one or more data packages comprises informationabout corrosion protection of the valve.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the one ormore data packages and/or the valve record established at least partlyon the basis of the one or more data packages comprises informationabout comments by the valve engineer, if any.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the one ormore data packages and/or the valve record established at least partlyon the basis of the one or more data packages comprises informationabout the customer valve reference.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the size ofthe digital photograph is between 100 kilobytes and 10 megabytes.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the digitalphotograph of the valve is transmitted to the central server as acompressed image obtained through a lossy or a lossless compression.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a compressionmay avail an improved transfer of the digital photograph of the valve tothe central server.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the digitalphotograph of the valve is transmitted to the central server as acompressed image obtained through a lossy compression, therebybenefiting from the fact that the compressed image may sufficiently showall the necessary details of the valve without requiring too muchbandwidth.

Moreover, even a compressed image may be applied for an automatic imagedetection application applied for determining the valve type or thevalve make automatically.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the mobilecommunication device may communicate with said central server via amobile cellular network

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the mobilecommunication device may communicate with said central server via amobile cellular network.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the mobilecommunication device may communicate with central server via aWIFI-connection to a communication network.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the mobilecommunication device may communicate with central server via theInternet.

The communication between the central server and the mobilecommunication device may be performed in different ways. Preferably, thecommunication device should be connectable as flexible as possible tothe central server, thereby leaving different option open.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the communicationbetween the central server and the device is established as a mobiletelecommunication between the device and a signal receiver, which againwill facilitate communication of data via Internet connection to thecentral server and vice versa. The mobile telecommunication between themobile and the device may e.g. be channeled through a 3G, 4G or a 5Gsystem. Another connection, such as a WIFI connection from the mobiledevice to a wireless access point and from there to a central server viae.g. the Internet may also be applied, although such system is presentlyrelatively restricted to the restricted coverage by existing wirelessaccess point when compared to obtainable coverage by means of basestations of mobile telecommunications technology.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, said valverecord comprise a unique identity.

The unique identity of the valve record may correspond or be identicalto a unique identity of a marking and/or a valve.

By said valve record having a unique identity it may be ensured thatmore than one valve record may be made for a particular valve type ormodel, or, if the markings are non-unique, that more than one valverecord may be made for valves coincidently having the same marking.

The unique identity of the valve record may be established whenestablishing the valve records, and may e.g. be a consecutive numbersfor each new valve record.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, thecommunication between the mobile communication device and the centralservice is encrypted.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, thecommunication between the central service and the database is encrypted.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the valverecords stored in the database is encrypted.

In connection with the above, it may be advantageous that transmissionand storage of data of the method is encrypted.

The invention relates in a second aspect to a valve locator comprising asearch engine and a valve database established according to the firstaspect or any embodiment thereof,

the valve database comprising a plurality valve records,

the search engine being established for searching in said valvedatabase,

the search engine comprising a number of search input fields,

the search input fields being associated to fields of said valverecords,

at least one of the search input fields comprising valve location.

A search engine in the present context is a software system that isdesigned to search for information, typically the related valvedatabase. In particular, the present search engine is a part of a valvelocator, i.e. software running on a hardware platform, central ordistributed. A very important and advantageous feature of the inventionis that specific valve records may be searched and found upon user ofsearch criteria other than its unique identity. Applicable search fieldsmay e.g. include a valve type, a valve location, a user definedpriority, a user defined category, time of installation, a digitalphotograph of the installed valve, etc. The valve records may besearched and extracted from the database for various purposes such asmore emergency related events, e.g. a leakage in a known area, but alsofor more routine based planning of maintenance.

Applicable search fields may include e.g. the size of the pipings and/orthe valve, the position of the valve, such as subterranean or not,installation depths, such as depth relative to ground level,installation date, contractor and/or installer name or ID, furtherphotographs, such as photographs of galvanic protection, actuation, etc.

Applicable search fields may include e.g. information aboutcertificates, official approvals, historical even data, maintenancedata, such as maintenance interval, time of next maintenance, time oflast maintenance, accessibility, means of access, such as tools neededto access the valve, details about the connected piping, such as workingpressure, piping material, materials transported by the piping, orsupply data, e.g. addresses or facilities which may be affected whenclosing the valve.

Applicable search fields may include e.g. activation data, and/or anoperation specification of the valve. In particular, information abouthow to activate the valves may be advantageous. Different valves may beactivated, i.e. switched from an open to a closed configuration or viceversa, either manually or by means of an actuator. Such activators maybe e.g. pneumatically or hydraulically driven.

Applicable search fields may include e.g. information about corrosionprotection of the valve, such as e.g. corrosion protection wrapping.

Applicable search fields may include e.g. information about productanchorage, e.g. if the valve is used as a fix point to fixate thepipeline.

Applicable search fields may include e.g. information about networkcomplexity, relation to neighboring installations and/or products. Itmay in some cases be necessary to respect certain circumstances relatedto network complexity or to relations to neighboring installations orproducts, e.g. when performing emergency procedures or shutdowns, e.g.due to contamination.

The valve locator may be applied to enable a fast shutdown of relevantvalves e.g. when utilized to prevent spreading of E. coli or othercontaminants.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at leastone of the input fields relates to information registerable.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least oneof the input fields comprising valve type.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least oneof the input fields comprising a user defined priority (UDP).

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least oneof the input fields comprising a user defined category (UDC).

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least oneof the inputs field comprising a mounting date or a mounting interval.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the searchengine communicated with a search user interface comprising thesearchable input fields.

The invention relates in a third aspect to a mobile communication devicecomprising programming for carrying out the steps of the methodaccording to the first aspect of the invention or any embodiment thereofperformed by the mobile communication device.

The intention relates in a fourth aspect to mapping of a plurality ofvalves registered according to the first aspect of the invention or anyembodiment thereof, the method comprising the step of on mapping thevalve records or representations of the valve records on a geographicalinteractive map, the graphical interactive map (GIM) including a valvefilter (VF), by means of which a user of the interface may establish afilter based on at least one parameter referring to the fields of thevalve records of the database.

The mapping may e.g. be shown at geographical map on a display of amobile device or another data processing device and the mapping may helpthe user to easily visually locate valves or groups of valves. Moreover,the user may have the option of applying a filter on the valves to seeonly a desired subset of valves.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least oneof the parameters comprising valve type.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least oneof the parameters comprising a user defined priority (UDP).

The invention relates in a fifth aspect to a system comprising a numberof hardware components, the system executing the method according to thefirst aspect of the invention or any embodiment thereof.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the systemcomprising a mobile device and a central server.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the method onthe central server side is performed automatically according topredefined installed software routines.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the methodfurther comprises an operator server (OS).

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the operatorserver executes and hosts the mapping of the valves according to theforth aspect of the invention or any embodiment thereof.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the centralserver executes and hosts the mapping of the valves according to theforth aspect of the invention or any embodiment thereof.

FIGURES

The invention will be described in the following with reference to thefigures in which

FIG. 1 illustrates the steps of a method of registering an installedvalve according to an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the invention with a central serverbetween the valve operator and the valve engineer,

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the invention with directcommunication between the valve operator and the valve engineer,

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the invention with more than onevalve engineer and more than one valve operator,

FIG. 5 illustrates a valve record according to an embodiment of theinvention,

FIG. 6 illustrates a graphical user interface of a valve locatoraccording to an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 7 illustrates the operation according to an embodiment of theinvention,

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the invention including apreliminary workflow list, and

FIG. 9 illustrates a hardware system according to an embodiment of theinvention for carrying out an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

On FIG. 1 a method of registering an installed valve VLV (not shown)according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. Theinstalled valve VLV has a marking MA (not shown) associated to anidentity ID (not shown).

The method of FIG. 1 may be carried out by a hardware system, comprisinga mobile communication device and a central server. FIG. 1 shows onlythe steps of the method, not the hardware system; however, a hardwaresystem for carrying out the method of FIG. 1 is illustrated on FIG. 7.Also, some aspects of a hardware system for carrying out the method ofFIG. 1 is illustrated on FIG. 9.

The method of FIG. 1 comprises a number of steps. Starting from S1, amobile communication device DEV is provided in step S2. The mobilecommunication device DEV comprises a navigation satellite signalreceiver NS SR.

Then, a registration of the valve VLV is established by performing thefollowing steps with the mobile communication device DEV:

-   -   a) reading, in step S3, the marking MA attached to the valve        VLV,    -   b) establishing, in step S5, a valve location VL by means of the        navigation satellite signal receiver NSSR, and    -   c) transmitting, in step S6, at least one data package DP to a        central server CS, said at least one data package DP comprising        a representation of the marking MA or the associated identity ID        and the established valve location VL.

Then, in step S7, said at least one data package DP is received at thecentral server CS.

Then, in step S8, a valve record VR is established at the central serverCS. The valve record VR associates the identity ID to the establishedvalve location VL.

Finally, in step S9, the valve record VR is stored in a database DB. InFIG. 1, step S9 is illustrated as taking place in the central server,however, the database DB may in some embodiments be located externalfrom the central server CS.

In should be noted in connection with the above embodiments that theorder of steps S3 and S5, and optional step S4, if present, may bechanged.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, some of the steps, i.e. steps S2-S6, areassociated with in the mobile communication device DEV, whereas stepsS7-S8 and possibly step S9 as associated with the central server CS.

Furthermore, in FIG. 1 an optional step S4 is illustrated. In step S4, adigital photograph DPH of the installed valve VLV is established bymeans of a camera CAM. The camera CAM is, at least in such embodiments,a part of the mobile communication device, i.e. the mobile communicationdevice DEV comprises a camera CAM.

It is noted that in some embodiments where graphical markings are used,steps S3 and S4 may be the same, establishing a digital photograph whichincludes a representation of the marking, the representation having asufficient quality to allow subsequent decoding of the marking to obtainthe identity associated with that marking.

As well understood, the present invention has a huge impact and severalspecial benefits in connection with valves, due to the fact that valveshave special properties. The invention may however also be applied forregistration of appurtenance, i.e. a component other than valve that isattached to the pipeline; e.g. tee, casing, fittings, instrumentconnection, etc.

Referring to FIG. 2 an embodiment of the invention is illustrated, whichmay be understood in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 1.

In FIG. 2, a valve engineer VE, a central server CS, and a valveoperator VO are shown.

The central server CS may be located at an application service providerASP (not shown).

The valve operator VO is in this embodiment located separately from thecentral server CS.

The valve engineer VE communicates with the central server CS, by meansof a mobile communication device DEV (not shown).

Preferably, as illustrated, the communication is two-way communication.However, in some embodiments, the communication may be one-way, i.e.from the valve engineer VE to the central server CS.

The valve engineer VA transmits, via the mobile communication device(not shown), information elements to the central server CS. Theinformation elements are transmitted as one or more data packages, andcomprise at least a valve location VL, and a marking and/or an identityassociated with the marking.

Preferably, as illustrated, a database DB is associated with the centralserver CS, e.g. as a part of the central server CS.

The central server CS transmits the received information elements,preferably as a valve record VR to the valve operator VO. Transmissionmay preferably be done over the internet.

The central server CS may in some embodiments e.g. be located at a valvemanufacturer, or at an application service provider associated with avalve manufacturer,

The database DB may in some embodiments receive data from a valvemanufacturer, or at an application service provider associated with avalve manufacturer.

Now, on FIG. 3 a further embodiment is illustrated, which may beunderstood in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 1. In FIG. 3, avalve engineer VE and a valve operator VO are illustrated.

Contrary to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the valve engineer VEin the present embodiment of FIG. 3 is in direct communication with thevalve operator VO. The valve operator VO according to this embodimentprovides a central server CS for receiving data packages transmitted bythe valve engineer VE.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a further embodiment of the invention isillustrated, which may be understood in connection with the embodimentof FIG. 1. On FIG. 4, a first, second, and third valve engineer VE1,VE2, VE3 are shown. A central server CS is shown. A first and secondvalve operator VO1, VO2 are shown. A first and a second database DB1,DB2 are shown.

The valve engineers VE1, VE2, VE3 each communicates with the centralserver CS similar to the valve engineer on FIG. 2. Preferably, asillustrated the communication is two-way communication. Alternatively,the valve engineers VE1, VE2, VE3 are at least able to transmit data tothe central server CS.

The central server CS communicates with each the valve operators VO1,VO2 in a similar way as the central server CS and the operator VOcommunicates in FIG. 2.

Each of the first and second databases DB1, DB2 is associated with afirst and second valve operator VO1, VO2, respectively. For example,each database DB1, DB2 may be located with the corresponding valveoperator VO1, VO2, as illustrated. As the valve operator VO1, VO2 maytypically be a company or a public or semipublic entity, the databaseDB1, DB2 may e.g. be located within the buildings or facilities of thevalve operator VO1, VO2. In some embodiments, one or more databases DB1,DB2 may be externally hosted, e.g. based on cloud computing, i.e.located at a decentralized server, preferably only accessible by therelevant valve operator VO1, VO2.

In an example embodiment, the first and second valve engineers VE1, VE2may be associated with only the first valve operator VO1, whereas thethird valve engineer VE3 may be associated with only the second valveoperator VO2. Typically, when each of the valve engineers VE1, VE2, VE3communicates with the central server CS using their respective mobilecommunication devices (not shown), they may, e.g. when initializing thesoftware on the mobile communication device adapted for facilitating theregistration of the data to be communicated to the central server, entera username and/or password. One or more of the username, the password,or a further identification field based, at least partly, on theusername and/or password may then be included in the one or more datapackages communicated from each valve engineer VE1, VE2, VE3 to thecentral server CS. Thereby, the central server CS may determine to whichof the valve operators VO1, VO2 the particular one or more data packagesreceived from a certain valve engineer VE1, VE2, VE3 is to betransmitted.

In some embodiments, one or more of the valve engineers VE may beassociated with two or more of the valve operators VO. In suchembodiments, such valve engineers may preferably have a separateusername and/or password associated with each of the relevant valveoperators, or the software on his/her mobile communication device mayallow choosing the valve operator.

In many typical embodiments, multiple valve engineers VE and/or multiplevalve operators may be associated with the same central server CS.

In some embodiments, multiple central servers CS may be used. Some orall of the central servers CS may be adapted to operate in collaborationor in parallel.

FIG. 5 illustrates the principle of a valve record VR applied accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

The valve record VR represents a data item of a database (not shown)applied in the system e.g. as illustrated in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 andapplied according to provisions of the invention.

The valve record VR may be stored in a central database e.g. asillustrated in FIG. 2 or it may also be stored in de-central databasesas illustrated in FIG. 4.

The valve record comprises a number of fields VRF1-VRF4. The fields aretypically established centrally at the receiving end of the transmitteddata packages from a mobile device, e.g. according to the transmissionflow illustrated and explained with reference to FIG. 1.

The field may e.g. include a number field, a valve location field, aclassification field, a valve type, a user defined priority, a userdefined category or e.g. a mounting date. All fields relates to theregistered valve in question.

The valve record may comprise further fields, which may be based oninformation from the valve engineer via the mobile communication deviceand/or from the valve operator. The one or more further fields maycomprise information about the size of the piping and/or the valve, theposition of the valve, such as subterranean or not, installation depths,such as depth relative to ground level, installation date, contractorand/or installer name or ID, further photographs, such as photographs ofgalvanic protection, actuation, etc.

The valve record may also comprise one or more further fields comprisinginformation about certificates, official approvals, historical eventdata, maintenance data, such as maintenance interval, time of nextmaintenance, time of last maintenance, accessibility, means of access,such as tools needed to access the valve, details about the connectedpiping, such as working pressure, piping material, materials transportedby the piping, or supply data, e.g. addresses or facilities which may beaffected when closing the valve.

The valve records may be comprised in the central database of anoperator or a service provider or the valve records may also be exportedto one or more decentral databases, e.g. a database of an operator.

FIG. 6 illustrates a graphical user interface (GUI) of a valve locatoraccording to an embodiment of the invention. The valve locator comprisesan number of input search fields SIF1 . . . SIF4.

The valve locator comprises a search engine communicatively coupled to avalve data base (not shown).

A search engine in the present context is a software system that isdesigned to search for information, typically the related valvedatabase. In particular, the present search engine is a part of a valvelocator, i.e. software running on a hardware platform, central ordistributed. A very important and advantageous feature of the inventionis that specific valve records may be searched and found upon user ofsearch criteria other than its unique identity. Applicable search fieldsmay e.g. include a valve type, a valve location, a user definedpriority, a user defined category, etc. The valve records may besearched and extracted from the database for various purposes such asmore emergency related events, e.g. a leakage in a known area, but alsofor more routine based planning of maintenance.

The input search fields may e.g. include a number field, a valvelocation field, a classification field, a valve type, a user definedpriority, a user defined category or e.g. a mounting date or a mountinginterval.

Now referring to FIG. 7, an embodiment of the invention is illustrated.A valve VLV, a mobile communication device DEV, and a central server CSare shown.

The valve VLV comprises a marking MA, which may in some embodiments beunique, whereas in other embodiments it may not be unique.

The marking MA is associated with an identity ID of the valve VLV. Inembodiments, where the marking MA is unique, the unique marking MA maybe associated with a unique identity ID of the valve VLV, or the uniquemarking MA may be associated with a type identity ID of the valve VLV,such as a model number or name.

The mobile communication device DEV comprises a navigation satellitesignal receiver NSSR for receiving a navigation signal from navigationsatellites. The mobile communication device DEV may by means of thenavigation satellite signal receiver NSSR establish a valve location VLof the valve VLV.

The mobile communication device DEV comprises a camera CAM and/or anelectromagnetic tag reader ETR, such as a reader for reading RFID tagsor NFC tags.

The camera CAM or the electromagnetic tag reader ETR may read themarking MA of the valve VLV. Typically, if the marking MA is a graphicalmarking, the reading may be performed by the camera CAM. One example ofa particularly advantageous two-dimensional graphical tag is QR codes.With respect to QR codes, the American patent document U.S. Pat. No.5,726,435 A is hereby incorporated by reference.

Also, in some embodiments, the camera may establish a digital photographDPH of the installed valve VLV.

The mobile communication device DEV comprises a data processing systemPROC. In some embodiments, the reading of the marking MA may be decodedon the mobile communication device DEV, which is illustrated asoptional, whereas in other embodiments a representation, such as adigital photograph, of the marking MA, is transmitted to the centralserver CS for decoding.

The mobile communication device DEV comprises a mobile devicecommunication interface MDCI for transmitting wirelessly one or moredata packages DP.

The central server CS comprises a central server communication interfaceCSCI for receiving the one or more data packages DP. It should be notedthat the communication signal(s) comprising the one or more datapackages DP may typically be relayed by one or more relay stations.Also, in many situations the communication signal from the mobilecommunication device DEV may be received at e.g. a cell tower andrelayed through the internet. Therefore, the central servercommunication interface CSCI may be any communication interface forreceiving the one or more data packages DP from a communicationinfrastructure.

The central server CS comprises in FIG. 7 a database DB. In somealternative embodiments, the database DB may be located external fromthe central server CS. The database DB, the content of which isillustrated by the shown matrix, comprises a number of valve recordsVR1, VR2, which are shown as horizontal rows in the matrix. The valverecords VR1, VR2 comprises the identity ID1, ID2 of different valvesVLV, optionally corresponding digital photographs DPH1, DPH2 of therespective valves VLV, the valve locations VL1, VL2. The valve recordsVR1, VR2 may also comprise further fields Fa1, Fa2, and Fb1, Fb2.

Further explanation of the embodiment is provided with the embodimentillustrated on FIG. 1, which discloses a method that may be carried outon the system illustrated on FIG. 7.

A further embodiment is illustrated on FIG. 8. A preliminary workflowlist PWFL, an element from the workflow list PWFL, and a valve record VRare illustrated.

A mobile communication device (not shown) may provide to its user apreliminary workflow list PWLF, which may indicate to the user plannedtasks to be performed, e.g. within the next day or week. The user maythen choose a task to be carried out, or a task may be chosen for theuser, e.g. based on relevance or date. Typically, the mobilecommunication device may then provide to the user a location, such as anaddress. When the user is at the location, the user may then, possiblyafter installing or inspecting a particular valve, perform the relevantsteps illustrated in connection with FIG. 1, thereby providing anidentity ID of the valve, a valve location VL, and, optionally,establishing a digital photograph DPH.

The identity ID, the valve location VL, optionally the digitalphotograph DPH, and said element WFLE from the preliminary workflow listis used to create the valve record VR. Preferably, the valve record VRis established by the central server CS.

In certain embodiments, the element WFLE from the preliminary workflowlist may contain all the information pertaining to the particular taskto be performed, however in other embodiments, only certain parts orelements thereof is selected.

Said element WFLE from the preliminary workflow list PWFL may comprisean intended location of the particular valve, information about theidentity of the valve, use of the valve, classification of the valve,etc.

Now referring to FIG. 9, a further embodiment of the invention isillustrated.

A mobile communication device DEV, a central server CS, and a valveoperator VO are illustrated.

The mobile communication device DEV, the central server CS, and thevalve operator VO may preferably be adapted to function according to theembodiments of the previously described figures, particularly FIG. 1.

The mobile communication device DEV comprises a display DISP and a dataprocessing system PROC.

The central server CS comprises a database DB and a data processingsystem PROC.

The valve operator VO comprises a display DISP and a data processingsystem PROC.

The mobile communication device DEV is adapted to communicate with thecentral server CS. Preferably, as illustrated, the communication may betwo-way, but may alternatively be one-way from the mobile communicationdevice DEV to the central server CS. Also the central server CS and thevalve operator VO are adapted to communicate.

The mobile communication device DEV may preferably be adapted to allowthe user to use the display DISP, to view the valve location VL, themarking MA and/or the identity associated therewith, and optionally adigital photograph DPH of the installed valve VLV, before approvingthese, and in some cases correcting these, before the valve location VL,the marking MA and/or the identity associated therewith, and optionallythe digital photograph DPH are transmitted to the central server CS.

The central server CS establishes a valve record VR comprising the valvelocation VL, the marking MA and/or the identity associated therewith,and optionally the digital photograph DPH.

The valve record VR may be stored in the database DB of the centralserver CS and/or may be transmitted to the valve operator VO. At thevalve operator VO valve records VR may be accessed by means of thedisplay DISP and the data processing system PROC.

In some embodiments, the valve records VR are stored locally at thevalve operator VO in a local database and may be accessed through that.

In some embodiments the valve records VR are stored in the centralserver CS and accessed from the valve operator VO.

In some embodiments, the valve records VR are stored in a databaselocated externally from the valve operator VO, e.g. a cloud computingbased database.

The invention claimed is:
 1. Method of registering an installed valve,the installed valve having a marking associated to an identity, themethod comprising the steps of: positioning the valve at a subterraneanlocation, mounting and fixing the valve at the subterranean locationfixed to a pipe grid, providing a mobile communication device, themobile communication device comprising a navigation satellite signalreceiver, establishing a registration of the mounted valve by performingthe following steps with the mobile communication device, reading themarking attached to the valve, establishing a valve location by means ofthe navigation satellite signal receiver, and transmitting at least onelocation data package to a central server, said at least one datapackage comprising a representation of the marking or the associatedidentity and the established valve location as mounted and fixed to thepipe grid, receiving at the central server said at least one datapackage, establishing at the central server a valve record associatingthe identity to the established valve location, and storing the valverecord in a database.
 2. Method of registering an installed valveaccording to claim 1, wherein the mobile device comprises a camera and anavigation satellite signal receiver and wherein the method furthercomprises the steps of establishing a digital photograph of theinstalled valve by means of the camera, transmitting at least onelocation data package to a central server, said at least one locationdata package comprising a representation of the marking or theassociated identity, the digital photograph of the valve, and theestablished valve location, and receiving at the central server said atleast one data package, establishing at the central server a valverecord associating the identity to the digital photograph of the valveand the established valve location.
 3. Method of registering aninstalled valve according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting of atleast one data package is initiated by a user and wherein the mobilecommunication device automatically upon said initiation by the userestablishes the at least one data package to be transmitted.
 4. Methodof registering an installed valve according to claim 1, wherein theestablished valve location is automatically determined to be the lastvalid location determined on the basis of the signals received by thenavigation satellite receiver.
 5. Method of registering an installedvalve according to claim 1, wherein the established valve location isautomatically determined to be one of the last valid locationsdetermined on the basis of the signals received by the navigationsatellite receiver.
 6. Method of registering an installed valveaccording to claim 1, wherein the established valve location isautomatically determined to be calculated at least partly on the basisof signals received by the navigation satellite receiver subsequent to asignal fall out.
 7. Method of registering an installed valve accordingto claim 1, wherein said marking is a unique marking.
 8. Method ofregistering an installed valve according to claim 1, wherein the markingis decoded by the central server to establish said identity.
 9. Methodof registering an installed valve according to claim 1, wherein the datapackage is validated at the central server.
 10. Method of registering aninstalled valve according to claim 1, wherein the valve location isvalidated at the central server.
 11. Method of registering an installedvalve according to claim 1, wherein the central server in response toreceiving said data package transmits an acknowledgement of receipt tothe operator.
 12. Method of registering an installed valve according toclaim 1, wherein the valve location is converted to an address orlocation and transmitted to the user and/or the operator for averification of the registered valve location.
 13. Method of registeringan installed valve according to claim 1, wherein the mobilecommunication device is a single unit comprising said camera and saidnavigation satellite signal receiver, the mobile communication devicecomprising programming for carrying out the steps performed by saidmobile communication device under control of the user interface of themobile communication device.
 14. Method of registering an installedvalve according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the further fieldscomprises a user defined category.
 15. Method of registering aninstalled valve according to claim 1, wherein at least one of thefurther fields comprises a mounting date.
 16. Method of registering aninstalled valve according to claim 1, wherein the one or more datapackages and/or the valve record established at least partly on thebasis of the one or more data packages comprises information aboutcorrosion protection of the valve.
 17. Method of registering aninstalled valve according to claim 1, wherein the valve records storedin the database is encrypted.
 18. Valve locator comprising a searchengine and a valve database established according to claim 1, the valvedatabase comprising a plurality valve records, the search engine beingestablished for searching in said valve database, the search enginecomprising a number of search input fields, the search input fieldsbeing associated to fields of said valve records, at least one of thesearch input fields comprising valve location.
 19. Mobile communicationdevice comprising programming for carrying out the steps of the methodaccording to claim 1 performed by the mobile communication device. 20.Mapping of a plurality of valves registered according to claim 1, themethod comprising the step of on mapping the valve records orrepresentations of the valve records on a geographical interactive map,the graphical interactive map including a valve filter, by means ofwhich a user of the interface may establish a filter based on at leastone parameter referring to the fields of the valve records of thedatabase.
 21. A system comprising a number of hardware components, thesystem executing the method according to claim 1.